Independence feels good | Jul 02nd 2007
About six years ago, I read two books that changed my view of work. One was called “Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and Your Life” by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard.
The book is written in the form of a fable about four Mice - Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw. The story demonstrates how each mouse handles change. Change is illustrated by a hunk of cheese (work) which had always been in the same spot but slowly starts vanishing. Eventually the cheese disappears. As the characters’ names imply, each mouse handles the disappearance of their cheese differently.
The second book was “Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself” by Daniel H. Pink. This book manages to capture the true possibilities of self-employment better than anything else I’ve read on the topic. It sunk into my consciousness and inspired me.
If “Who Moved My Cheese” forced me to become aware of the changes around me (namely, a crumbling Internet economy), then “Free Agent Nation” was the catalyst that motivated me to start my own business. Well, that, and getting laid off.
It’s been nearly five years since I got my first freelance job, and I’ll never forget how amazed I was when I realized I was actually doing it. I was working for myself.
Full time has its attractions
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that sometimes I feel tempted to apply for a full-time job for many reasons, not the least of which are continuity, financial predictability and benefits. This temptation often comes up during transition periods. For example, when certain projects end and I’m casting about for more work, I tend to get antsy.
So perhaps it’s not too much of an admission of weakness to confess I responded to a couple of job postings last week - both for full-time positions.
It was exhilarating to apply for a “real” job and list my long work history and my desire to find a permanent professional “home.” It was even more exhilarating to hear back from both companies (in record time) that they were interested in interviewing me.
But something strange happened when I put down the phone after setting up the first interview. I felt very discouraged. It suddenly hit me that I would be giving up a lot by working for one company - my business, my clients and, most of all, the freedom and flexibility that were my inspiration to strike out on my own in the first place.
It can be difficult to achieve what you always wanted, only to realize that sometimes it isn’t quite what you expected. That’s what it feels like out here on my own sometimes. But that sinking feeling I got when I thought about representing someone else’s company instead of my own was enough to inspire me to cancel that interview.
Instead, I reached out to an existing client, letting them know about my availability. They were happy to award me more work and I was happy to regain that feeling I’d had when I first read “Free Agent Nation” six years ago.
So it looks like I’ll be celebrating more than the nation’s independence next week - I’ll be celebrating my own.
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This article was orginally published in the Poughkeepsie Journal on Saturday, June 30, 2007.